Jacksonville, Florida – A tragic incident unfolded on Easter Sunday as a young man took the lives of his father and 12-year-old brother before turning the gun on himself in a home on Jacksonville’s Westside, according to authorities.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey revealed that the horrific event came to light when the mother of the suspected shooter, who had been shot multiple times, was discovered by neighbors at the entrance of their Duclay neighborhood street.
Upon entering the home, JSO officers were met with a heartbreaking scene. Coarsey recounted that the 22-year-old alleged shooter, a biracial man, engaged in a dispute with his white father over the use of racial slurs, ultimately leading to the fatal confrontation.
After retrieving a gun and donning tactical gear, the young man fatally shot his father and brother before targeting his mother, who managed to escape with her life. Two teens, related to the family, were present during the incident but were able to hide until being rescued by officers.
Following the violent outburst, it appeared that the suspected shooter took his own life. Coarsey mentioned the discovery of two firearms in the residence – a long gun and a handgun – although it remains unclear which weapon was used.
Additionally, there were indications of potential mental health issues within the family, as shared by Coarsey. While the identities of the shooter and victims were withheld by JSO, the mother, who is Black, was hospitalized for emergency surgery.
The tragedy underscores the devastating outcomes of family disputes turned violent, leaving a community shaken and mourning the loss of three lives on an otherwise celebratory day. The investigation into the incident continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the deadly altercation.